There are a ton of narratives surrounding this AFC Championship Game heavyweight match-up this weekend — the quarterbacks, the budding dynasty of the Chiefs, the opportunity for the Ravens to enter that conversation, etc.
And while they will all take a back seat once that whistle blows and the football explodes off the foot of a kicker to start the game, one interesting storyline will play itself out throughout the game — the mentor versus the mentee. Student against pupil.
Ravens coach John Harbaugh spent 10 years on Andy Reid’s staff in Philadelphia — a highly-successful run that saw the team compete for numerous championships, though they never quite sealed the deal together and brought home a Lombardi.
Obviously, they both have reached the proverbial mountaintop since, with Reid claiming two championships, and Harbaugh one. They’ve done things differently in a sense, in that Reid’s teams have prospered with a creative offensive and defensive schemes, while Harbaugh’s squads have often won with running games and suffocating defenses. They’ve both also found terrific recent success with elite, creative quarterbacks who can step outside the norms of a regular offense.
There’s also another similarity between the teams, one that Harbaugh learned under Reid’s guidance.
“I tell this story a lot,” said Harbaugh. “One of the things with Andy, he had this three-by-five card behind his desk on his bulletin board. It just said, ‘Don’t judge.’ I got the nerve to ask him about it one time, and he just basically (said) it’s kind of a biblical principle. Take people where they’re at. Assume the best. Try to communicate with everybody on equal terms. I’ve never forgot that.”
And it’s something you hear Harbaugh say over and over again, presser after presser — he wants his players and coaches to be themselves. Believe in the big picture, obviously, but be themselves.
There’s something to be said for that if you are in management of any kind — you hired or retained someone for a reason. Let them show you that every day.
Adam Schein has a popular regular column on NFL.com where he discusses nine topics of importance to him — appropriately called “The Schein Nine.”
One topic this week should be of particular note to Ravens fans.
5) The Ravens are the NFL’s best team
This Baltimore team is flat-out awesome in every phase. The Ravens finished the regular season with the No. 4 scoring offense and No. 1 scoring defense. They boasted the highest point differential (+203), tied for the NFL lead in turnover differential (+12) and paced the league in sacks (60). I could go on, but what’s the point? Bottom line: This is a well-rounded beast of a team.
If there was concern about Lamar Jackson in the playoffs, the man who’s about to win his second MVP punched that narrative in the face with his brilliant second half as a passer and runner in Baltimore’s 34-10 beatdown of Houston. It was beautiful to watch, a dual-threat quarterback at the peak of his powers. And Baltimore’s defense completely stifled wunderkind quarterback C.J. Stroud and rising coordinator Bobby Slowik, holding Houston’s offense to just 213 total yards and three points. (The Texans’ lone touchdown came on a punt return.)
John Harbaugh, Mike Macdonald, Todd Monken and Eric DeCosta’s fingerprints were all over that masterpiece showing, underscoring the widespread genius of this Ravens organization. No wonder this is the best team in football today.
Regular readers of this column know I have an affection for PFF’s Gordon McGuinness’ articles on what he’s learned from each Ravens’ performance. This week was no different.
He noted how the Ravens adjusted to a quick-passing game in the second half of their Divisional round win over the Texans, how Lamar Jackson exorcised some of his playoff demons, the lack of increased reps for Odell Beckham Jr. and how effective Jadeveon Clowney was, particularly against the run.
Perhaps the most-important thing he pointed out, however, was maybe the Ravens’ most important factor if they want to have a long run here: Ronnie Stanley played great.
“The left tackle hasn’t been the same player since suffering a devastating injury during the 2020 season, but he has been a starting-caliber player at the position, with his 74.0 PFF pass-blocking grade on the year ranking 19th among left tackles,” wrote McGuinness.
“The divisional round was Stanley’s highest-graded performance of the year (80.5). From 23 pass-blocking snaps, the former sixth-overall pick out of Notre Dame didn’t allow a single sack, hit or hurry. His 74.7 PFF run-blocking grade was his best mark since a Week 6 win over the Tennessee Titans in London.”
That bodes well. The Ravens need the big man playing good ball to win these next two games.
Also of note:
"You got the finesse teams, you got the downhill running teams, and then you've got the Baltimore Ravens."
Chris Jones talks about the Ravens' offensive skills before Sunday's matchup. pic.twitter.com/AEBWuGSz6X
— Sports Radio 810 WHB (@SportsRadio810) January 25, 2024
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) January 24, 2024
The Baltimore Ravens is one of the greatest teams of all time.@minakimes @bomani_jones pic.twitter.com/389LRiU5vy
— The Right Time with Bomani Jones (@righttimebomani) January 24, 2024
• Baltimore Ravens •
(2024, Divisional)
42 Rushes, 229 yards. 2 TD.
Run Game Cutups:#RavensFlock #NFL
— Last of the Fullbacks (@TheLastFullback) January 25, 2024
Go inside the LB room with @ZO35
Watch Wired ➡️ https://t.co/XQYui7rSvI pic.twitter.com/aRHrbf8P1f
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) January 25, 2024
I'LL DIE FOR THIS 🗣
Wired ➡️ https://t.co/XQYui7rSvI pic.twitter.com/hZlHyS81Fd
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) January 25, 2024
